Henry heller



(No Model.)

H. HELLER. FASTENING DEVICE FOR POCKET BOOKS. No. 595,100.

Patented Dec. 7, 1897'.

ATTORNEYS,

Uivi'rnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY HELLER, OF NEl/V YORK, N. Y.

FASTENING DEVICE FOR POCKET-BOOKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,100, dated December 7, 1897. Application filed June 15, 1897. Serial No. 640,870. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY HELLER, a citizen of the United States, residingin the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fastening Devices for Pocket-Books, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to purses; and its object is to provide a purse with a catch orlock which cannot become accidentally unlocked and the operation of which must be known before the purse can be opened.

The invention consists of a purse provided with a catch, an L- shaped lever pivoted in the frame and provided at one end with a bent portion guided through the hinge-joint and having a push-button at the extremity, a spring-pressed upper arm carrying a loop at its end, and a bent guide-catch.

The invention consists, further, of details of construction hereinafter described, and defined in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a purse provided with my improved catch. Fig. 2 is an elevation of one part of the purse-frame, showing the details of my improved catch in its locked po sition. Fig. 3 is a detail view from line 3 3 of Fig. 2, and Figs. 4.- and 5 are vertical sections 011 the lines 4; 4. and 5 5, respectively.

111 the drawings, 13,13 represent the two parts of the hinged frame of a purse provided with open hinge-pivots. To the frame B is pivoted at a an L- shaped leverA. The lower arm of the lever is bent at right angles and is guided through the open hinge-pivot and is provided at its extremity with apush-button A. The upper arm of the lever A is extended along the upper portion of the frame B- and is provided at its extremity with a loop 0. A suitable leaf-spring a is secured to the frame 13 above the upper arm of the lever A and bears thereon,forcing the said arm against the bottom of the angular catch D, which is fixed in the part B of the frame. The loop 0 of the lever A passes over the upturned end cl of the catch D, which is carried by the part B of the frame.

The operation will be readily understood from the above description.

In order to open the purse, the push-button A must be pressed, operating the lever A, and forces the upper arm of said lever against the pressure of the spring a. This action causes the loop 0 to rise up, releasing the catch D, when the purse may be opened. Upon closing the purse the spring a forces the lever A down, and theloop 0 again passes over the upturned end of the catch D, thus locking the purse. The opposite side of the frame is provided with a push-button A secured to the end of a rod A which is guided through the open hinge-pivot and bent upward and attached to the side of the frame B. The usual clasp-buttons are provided upon the outside of the frame B B, giving the purse the appearance of having the ordinary fastening common to purses of this kind.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a purse, the combination with a twopart hinged frame, having an open hingepivot, of a spring-pressed lever pivoted therein and having its lower end guided through the said open pivot, a push-button connected with said lever and located on the outside of said open pivot and a looking-catch fixed in the frame and adapted to be engaged by said lever, substantially as set forth.

2. In a purse, the combination with a twopart hinged frame having open hinge-pivots, of a spring-pressed lever pivoted therein and having its lower end guided through the open pivot, a push-button connected with the lower end of said lever and located on the outside of the open pivot, a loop on the upper end of the lever, a guide-catch fixed in the frame, and a locking-catch fixed in said frame and having an upturned end adapted to engage said loop, substantially as set forth.

3. In a purse the combination of the twopart hinged frame having open hinge-pivots, of an L-shaped lever pivoted in said frame and having its lower end guided through the said open pivot and provided with a pushbutton, a loop on the extremity of the upper arm, a guide-catch fixed in the frame andlocated back of the said loop, a spring bearing on the upper part of said upper arm and a catch fixed in said frame and provided with an upturned end adapted to receive said loop, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY HELLER. Witnesses:

Gno. S. WHnELocK, GEORGE W. JAEKEL. 

